Bluetooth problems

Question

My computer says the bluetooth headphones are connected but I can't hear anything.

Answer 1

Try these steps on Windows 11 in this order:

1. Confirm the right output device is selected
   1. Click the Sound icon on the taskbar.
   2. In the output list, select the Bluetooth headphones as the output device.
   3. Or go to Start > Settings > System > Sound and under Output, make sure the Bluetooth headphones are selected.
2. Check that audio is actually playing through the Bluetooth device
   1. Press Windows logo key + I to open Settings.
   2. Select System, then Sound.
   3. Under Choose where to play sound, move focus to the Bluetooth device and ensure it is selected (radio button selected).
3. Make sure the device is connected, not just paired
   1. Open Settings with Windows logo key + I.
   2. Go to Bluetooth & devices.
   3. If the headphones show as Paired but not Connected, select them and choose Connect.
4. Unpair and re‑pair the headphones
   1. Go to Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices.
   2. Find the headphones, select More options (…) > Remove device.
   3. Select Add device, choose Bluetooth, and pair the headphones again.
5. Adjust audio format to a stable quality
   1. Go to Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices.
   2. Select the Bluetooth headphones, then select Advanced sound properties (must be connected to see this).
   3. Under Output settings, set Format to 2 channels, 16 bit, 48000 Hz (DVD Quality).
6. Restart Bluetooth and the PC
   1. In Settings > Bluetooth & devices, turn Bluetooth off, wait 10 seconds, then turn it on again and reconnect the headphones.
   2. If there is still no sound, select Start > Power > Restart to restart the PC.
7. Update Bluetooth drivers and Windows
   1. Right‑click Start and select Device Manager.
   2. Expand Bluetooth, right‑click the Bluetooth adapter (may include the word “radio”), select Update driver > Search automatically for updated driver software, and complete the wizard.
   3. Then go to Start > Settings > Windows Update and select Check for updates. Install any available updates and restart if prompted.

If the headphones still show as connected with no sound after these steps, run the Bluetooth troubleshooter from the Get Help app for automated diagnostics.

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References:

• Fix Bluetooth connected but no sound issue on Windows
• Use a screen reader to fix Bluetooth problems in Windows
• Windows 11 - No sound when connected to Bluethooth headphones - Microsoft Q&A
• earbuds wont pair - Microsoft Q&A